Apply to Volunteer With The Trevor Project and Help Save a Life

A message from artist and activist Jussie Smollett

The Problem

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are more than four times more likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers, and nearly half of all transgender adults have made a suicide attempt — most before the age of 25. Each year The Trevor Project answers more than 68,000 calls, chats, and texts, but estimates that more than 1.5 million LGBTQ youth experience suicidal ideation and could benefit from its services.

The Solution

You can help save young LGBTQ lives with The Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ youth. Our services are expanding to help more LGBTQ youth than ever before, and we need your help! There are many ways that you can volunteer to help us save young lives, including becoming a trained crisis services counselor. Sign up below to find out more.

Volunteer Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Trevor Project? The Trevor Project is the world’s largest crisis intervention and suicide prevention organization serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth under 25.

How does Trevor help LGBTQ young people in crisis? The Trevor Project offers free, confidential crisis intervention resources, including a 24/7 Lifeline, a secure instant messaging service (TrevorChat), and a crisis text line (TrevorText); in addition to life-affirming services such as TrevorSpace, the nation’s largest secured social media space for LGBTQ youth.

Do I need to be LGBTQ to volunteer? No! We welcome applicants from all gender identities, sexual orientations, and other backgrounds to support our life-saving work.

What is the training like? What will I learn?

Trevor Lifeline applicants undergo a 40-hour training that takes place in our NY- and LA- offices over two weekends, with additional follow-up training. Throughout this training, applicants learn concepts around LGBTQ and gender identity, suicidology, understanding risk; and complete a variety of roleplays to prepare them to interact with youth in crisis.

TrevorChat/Text applicants undergo a 40-hour virtual training including webinar lectures, developmental roleplays, and monitored shifts. Throughout the training, applicants will learn Trevor’s Crisis Support model and practice active crisis intervention scenarios, preparing them to interact with youth in crisis.

Advocacy. Training for our advocacy work varies depending on the nature of active regional and national advocacy campaigns.

What are the benefits of being a Trevor volunteer? There are so many! First and foremost, Trevor volunteers have the opportunity to save lives and provide life-affirming resources to LGBTQ young people. Trevor volunteers also join a growing community of over 400 active volunteers from across America, and have access to virtual and in-person networks to connect members of this community. Finally, Trevor volunteers receive world-class training and resources around LGBTQ and gender identity, suicide prevention, and other concepts, from our expert Crisis Services staff. This training is of course necessary to be a fantastic volunteer, but we know they also make our volunteers some of the most empathetic and compassionate humans!

What kinds of conversations will I have as a volunteer? Youth reach out to Trevor every day for a wide variety of reasons. Some youth are in moments of imminent risk of suicide; others just need someone to talk to. Our team will prepare volunteers extensively for all potential scenarios that may emerge from a conversation.

What support will I receive as a volunteer? What if I don’t know what to do in a particular conversation? The Trevor Project’s trainings offer a comprehensive suite of skills and resources to support volunteers in a wide variety of circumstances. Volunteers will have access to support from Trevor’s on-call consults and Digital Supervisors at all times, with no exceptions.

Do I need any licensing to become a volunteer? No! Our training equips volunteers with the skills and resources they need to be successful, and there is no up-front licensing needed to join our volunteer community.

Can I be a digital volunteer using my tablet or phone? No; TrevorChat and TrevorText volunteers must have a desktop or laptop computer, and must have access to a secured internet connection at all times they are designated to volunteer.

What if I can’t make some of the training days? All training days are mandatory for volunteers; we will work with you to match you with a training that aligns with your availability.

What if I have to go on vacation or can’t make a shift? The Trevor Project has policies to manage shift cancellations and substitutions as they are needed. However, we limit the number of shift cancellations volunteers can take, and ask that volunteers plan ahead to ensure they are generally available for shifts. The Trevor Project requires a full year commitment for Lifeline and Chat/Text volunteers, and generally do not accept applicants that will be outside the country or away from their designated call center for an extended period of time.

Can I do my volunteer shifts from anywhere? Trevor Lifeline volunteers must take their shifts from our call centers in New York City and Los Angeles. TrevorChat/Text volunteers may work from anywhere in the United States, as long as they have access to a desktop or laptop computer; consistent and stable server; and have access to a secure, private space. The location of advocacy volunteers depends on the campaigns that they are supporting.

What are the criteria for the application process to become a volunteer? Do I need to have experience in mental health work? The Trevor Project welcomes applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds and with a wide variety of skills. No previous mental health experience is necessary to support Trevor’s life-saving work.

AT&T x The Trevor Project

The mission of The Trevor Project is to end suicide among gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning young people. AT&T is helping to power the expansion of The Trevor Project’s crisis services to reach even more LGBTQ youth with a $1 million commitment, the single largest in The Trevor Project’s 20-year history.